Keep my BefS41 or use a Cisco 1604

[wallsfd949]

I recently acquired a Cisco 1604 (new in box x3) router identical to the ones pictured in this eBay auction I am currently on a home RR connection and run my own webserver (ssh, ftp as well) using a LinkSys BefSx41 firewall/router. Would it be a bad idea to use the Cisco 1604 after I have set it up outside the network and learned the IOS?

Would this be a good router to use to learn IOS to start on and Cisco degree (CCNA, etc.) or should I just eBay them for whatever I can get for them as I have 3?


[updated] I would need to add a WIC T-1 card to interface with my cable modem and it would work. That being the case, would you use this over a LinkSys. The purpose would be to learn IOS and any added protection the Cisco would give over a Linksys.

 

[nightowl]

According to the model that you posted you cannot even use that in place of your Linksys rotuer for Cable or DSL. The 1604 does not have the 2 ethernet interfaces that you need. If your model is something different and it does have 2 ethernet interfaces then you can get it to work by setting up PAT on the router but your Linksys box would, in most cases, work better and be easier troubleshoot if there were any problems.

 

[wallsfd949]

^^ original post Updated.

From what I can tell and what I've read, the port labled "ISDN BRI 0 U" (Red next to ISDN phone) is for a T1. Am I wrong

[edit] I AM [ /edit]

 

[nightowl]

The ISDN is for ISDN only and it cannot be used for a T1 since it is only a BRI interface. Also, the only way you could use it for your cable modem is if it had 2 ethernet interfaces. Since it does not, you are out of luck.

 

[ScottMac]

Stick with the Linksys for your home gateway.

A WIC-T1 will not work for any of the connections you have. You have RR cable, right?? As mentioned above, you need a pair of Ethernet ports (one for the modem, one to a switch to distribute the connections).

First, the 1600 is a pretty lame router ... great for a Lab, OK for a T1 connection ... as long as you don't much else for it to do. To substitute for the Linksys, you'd need to run NAT and IOS firewall (to get stateful inspection) - if you don't have that IOS, you need to buy it. You may also have to add RAM and flash to load the larger image.

Next, IOS firewall is not a PIX, though there are some similar commands. IOS firewall would generally be very low on the list of protective devices to front-end a network. You need to know well what you want to do and how to do it or your network will be wide open. You will also need to stay current on patches and updates (usually installed manually).

Next, NAT and / or IOS firewall takes a fair amount pf processing power and RAM. the 1600 doesn't have either. It's LAME, it's weak, it's underpowered (certainly for IOS firewall and NAT).

Keep the 1600s in the Lab and you're OK. Keep the Linksys up-front on your network. It's "Built for Purpose" and optimized far more than you (or most people) could configure a 1600 ... even if you had the right interfaces.

BTW: an ISDN simulator for BRI:U is ~US$600-1500.00. You cannot hook 'em up back-to-back, they will not work with a regular phone or phone line ... they must connect to an ISDN switch or something that looks like one.


Hope this clears thing up for ya.

Good Luck !

Scott